If you’re trying to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 and getting stuck, you are not alone. We have had quite a few customers asking us “Why can’t I upgrade to Windows 11?” The short answer is that Windows 11 has stricter system requirements than previous versions of Windows and not all Windows 10 computers are compatible.
This article shows why it might not work on your computer and what your options are.
Windows 11 Has Stricter Hardware Requirements
Previously, almost any Windows 7 or 8 computer could move to Windows 10 but Windows 11 has some strict requirements to satisfy which some computers may not comply with.
Microsoft made Windows 11 with a strong focus on newer hardware, which means if your computer is more than a few years old, you may not be able to upgrade unless you undertake some upgrades.
TPM Is the Biggest Sticking Point
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a small security chip built into most newer computers, which many older ones don’t have it. If you don’t have TPM version 2.0, Windows 11 will not install.
If your computer is from around 2018 or later, there’s a good chance it has TPM, it might just be turned off in your BIOS settings. If your computer is older, it may not have one at all. In that case, the upgrade might not be possible without replacing the motherboard.
UEFI and Secure Boot Might Be Required
UEFI is the modern replacement for the old BIOS system. It is what you briefly see when your computer first powers on (that black screen with white text before the Windows logo appears).
Windows 11 needs both UEFI and a setting called Secure Boot to be turned on. Sometimes these are available in the BIOS but not switched on. Other times, if your computer was set up a certain way, switching it on might stop it from starting up properly.
This can be tricky to do yourself unless you are comfortable navigating BIOS menus and boot modes.
Not Enough RAM or Storage Space
Windows 11 needs at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space to install (we recommend 16G and 1Tb of storage to get the best user experience). Most modern computers should have this, but we’ve seen some older mini-PCs and budget laptops that fall short.
The good news is that RAM and storage can often be upgraded. The not-so-good news is that some smaller devices have soldered components or no extra slots, which means you might not be able to upgrade without replacing the device entirely.
It Looks Like You Can Upgrade, But It Still Doesn’t Work
This is a frustrating issue. You run the PC Health Check tool to see if you can upgrade and and it says you are all good, but when you try to upgrade, it still won’t properly work.
This could be due to hidden security settings, firmware bugs, out-of-date BIOS versions, or even leftover upgrade blockers from older failed updates. It is confusing, and it is not just you experiencing these issues.
We can often sort this out by digging a little deeper into your system’s update logs and BIOS version, and adjusting the configuration if needed.
Do I Need to Upgrade to Windows 11 Right Now?
Not immediately. Microsoft will keep supporting Windows 10 with updates until October 14, 2025. But after that, it will stop getting security updates, which means using it could become risky.
If you leave it too late, you might find yourself scrambling for help when everyone else is doing the same. It is better to find out now whether your computer is ready or what you will need to do to get it there.
What You Need to Do Next
If you are not sure whether or not your computer can upgrade, we recommend running the official Windows 11 compatibility checker from Microsoft. But do not be surprised if the results are confusing.
You can also bring your computer to us and we will do a full check for you. We will look at:
- Whether your system meets all the upgrade requirements.
- If there is anything in your BIOS that needs to be changed.
- Whether a hardware upgrade, such as adding TPM or RAM, is possible.
- What are your options if it turns out your system is not compatible?
How We Can Help
We help businesses every day who are stuck somewhere between “I think I can upgrade” and “Why won’t this thing work?”
Whether it is changing BIOS settings, unlocking a TPM module or upgrading components, we can handle it. If your system won’t work, we can help you choose a new one that won’t break the bank and will last you for years to come.
If you are not sure what to do next, we are here to help. Just contact us and we will simplify things for you.